so yesterday... gwyn, holly, amanda, and i set out to do 9 miles. we met at 6am and each had our own apprehensions. we tried our best to mentally and physically prepare. we mapped out the route etc. i am so proud of us, because we did it! by the end we were all feeling totally great.

gwyn and i pretty much pace the same so we usually end up sticking together... so it was she that got to witness my near death (lol) experience.

we had crossed the 8 mile mark and we were nearing 8.5 miles. so i was ecstatic! we hit two "down hill" areas and it was amazing. we were up to 8 minute mile pace and gwyn told me to slow down! i think the endorphins had kicked in.

so i shouted,

"i can't believe i was able to run 9 miles!!!"

"i feel amazing!"

"i ran nine miles and lived to tell about it!"

and gwyn laughed and said "don't speak too soon... " haha. we laughed.

not even 2 seconds later -- no exaggerations here, i moved over to avoid tree branches.... and BAM i tripped over the back of gwyn's foot... or maybe she tripped me? it all happened so fast.

i tumbled forward (on a downhill, mind you) and my upper body was officially going faster than an 8 minute mile whilst my lower body was trying to catch up! it seemed like forever because i was able to stay upright, though heading straight for the sidewalk CHIN FIRST. i saw a telephone pole up ahead and decided to try to catch myself with the pole rather than the sidewalk.

i reached over with my left arm, hugged the pole, flew around it and settled in the grass. the old man driving in the street must have had a near heart attack because he stopped right away - i think he thought i was headed for the road!

my first thought was "GET UP BEFORE YOU CRAMP!" and i jumped up and started to run again... not even missing a beat. what a champ. haha.

luckily, only a few scrapes and i had no injuries. i am glad i caught myself on the pole.... otherwise my face would be all messed up, and i might even be missing some teeth.

gwyn and i laughed so hard during that last half mile... and then she had the audacity to tell me:

"we will laugh when we are done, this is too much work to laugh and run!"

and then she said...

"seriously, let's laugh when we are done, this is ruining my pace."

LOL. ah gwyn. i nearly died and still worried about our pace... that's a true runner for ya!

unfortunately, this is the type of event that you just HAD TO BE THERE. but if even for myself alone, i wanted to document it.

we run 10 miles next week... i am SO excited. our 9 miler was amazing. i feel so alive and able.... my body never fails to amaze me.